The Blue Ridge Parkway has some seriously stunning views along its 469-mile stretch. And what better way to enjoy them than with someone special? Let me show you some of the most romantic spots along the way.
Sometimes when you visit the Blue Ridge Parkway you want more than just an amazing view. Greedy, I know, but we love what we love.
In this post I’m going to clue you in on some of the most romantic spots on the Blue Ridge Parkway, perfect for taking your special person.
You’ll find a few quick hikes and a lot of breathtaking views to spend some time at building new, cherished memories.
When is the most romantic time to visit these overlooks?
Choosing when you visit an overlook is a really important part of planning your romantic getaway. All of the places mentioned below are breathtaking, but not always at the same time of day or time of year.
Each overlook or hike lists when it is most beautiful, whether that be sunrise, sunset, spring, or fall. If you are visiting outside of these times, don’t worry, the view from every overlook is always great.
Romantic Overlooks on the Blue Ridge Parkway
Sunset is usually the safest bet for finding an incredible spot under a beautiful sky. You’ll want to watch the weather closely and time your visit so you arrive at just the right time. We have some tips for finding amazing sunsets on the Blue Ridge Parkway, including some apps to help you out.
Get ready to be swept off your feet (or do some feet-sweeping yourself) as you explore these captivating spots, each offers the perfect setting for a truly romantic experience.
- Raven’s Roost (MP 10.7)
- Thunder Ridge Overlook (MP 74.7)
- Abbott Lake (MP 85.9 – Peaks of Otter)
- Iron Mine Hollow (MP 96.2)
- Trail Cabin (MP 154.5 – Smart View Recreation Area)
- Mabry Mill (MP 176)
- Raven Rocks Overlook (MP 289.5)
- Thunder Hill Overlook (MP 290.4)
- Beacon Heights (MP 305.2)
- Plunge Basin Overlook (MP 316 – Linville Falls)
- Chestoa View Overlook (MP 320.8)
- Second or Upper Falls (MP 418.8 – Graveyard Fields)
- Black Balsam Knob (420.2 – Art Loeb Trail)
- Cowee Mountain Overlook (MP 430.7)
- Waterrock Knob (MP 451.2)
Below we’ll cover each one in more detail and note when it is most beautiful and anything else you need to know.
Raven’s Roost Overlook (10.7)
30 minutes from Waynesboro, Virginia
Most Beautiful at Sunset
Raven’s Roost Overlook is perfect because of the large rock, just off of edge of the parking area. You’ll definitely want to bring a blanket to sit on as you watch the sun dip behind the mountains.
And if the weather is permitting, you can even stay long enough to watch the stars start sparkling in the evening sky.
Thunder Ridge Overlook (74.7)
35 minutes from Bedford, Virginia
Most Beautiful at Sunset
Thunder Ridge is one of the most photogenic spots on the Blue Ridge Parkway. The stone platform facing out over the valley is great for sunset and small enough to feel intimate.
The overlook is hemmed in by thick forest and, while popular, you can find times to visit when no one is around.
Abbott Lake – Peaks of Otter (85.9)
20 minutes from Bedford, Virginia
Most Beautiful in late October
Abbott Lake sits in between the three Peaks of Otter, just beside the Peaks of Otter Lodge. The paved path around the shore of the lake is perfect for finding a quiet spot to set out a blanket or chair and take in the view.
This is an excellent location for people of any age because most of path is level and outside of weekends in the fall, you can usually find an area away from other people to enjoy some time together.
Iron Mine Hollow Overlook (96.2)
35 minutes from Bedford and Roanoke, Virginia
Most Beautiful at Sunset in Spring and Summer
Iron Mine Hollow Overlook is two small overlooks, actually. You want to visit the northern overlook. The pull off is small but there is a grassy area near an old, gnarled hemlock.
There are rocks nestled off to the left of the hemlock that are just wide enough for two and are perched in the perfect spot to watch the sun slip away.
Trail Cabin – Smart View Recreation Area (154.5)
15 minutes from Floyd, Virginia
Most Beautiful at Sunrise
Trail Cabin at Smart View Recreation Area is one of the frequently skipped over stops on the Blue Ridge Parkway.
The view is best at sunrise, but it is beautiful anytime. There is a bench that sits in front of the cabin where you can take in the enormous view.
There is also a loop trail that passes through the recreation area. You can find benches along the trail that look out over the rim of the high ridge.
Mabry Mill (176)
25 minutes from Floyd, Virginia
Most Beautiful in the mid to late October
Mabry Mill is an incredibly popular stop on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Weekends here, during the fall, are sort of crazy. But, if you visit midweek you can usually get away from crowds and take in the view of the incredible mill and other log buildings.
This is a great place to take a quiet walk and listen to the water splashing over the mill wheel or along the mill race bringing the water to the mill.
The path is another paved area so anyone can visit.
Raven Rocks Overlook (289.5)
5 minutes from Blowing Rock
Most Beautiful at Sunset
Raven Rocks Overlook has one of the most dramatic looking overlooks on the entire Blue Ridge Parkway. The jutting rock looks more like it should be at the end of an amazing hike rather than at a small overlook.
The rocky ledge is very popular, but if you get to Raven Rocks early for sunset you can explore and find a few alcoves to have your own private space.
Thunder Hill Overlook (290.4)
5 minutes from Blowing Rock, North Carolina
Most Beautiful at Sunrise and Sunset
Thunder Hill Overlook is more famous for being a great spot for sunrise, but across the Blue Ridge Parkway there is a large grassy area where you can watch the sun set over a farm.
Make sure you bring a blanket to sit on for this spot. This is the best spot for a romantic picnic on the list.
Beacon Heights (305.2)
30 minutes from Blowing Rock
0.6 miles round trip hike
Most Beautiful at Sunset and in Early June
Beacon Heights is a short trail with one of the most beautiful overlooks on the Blue Ridge Parkway. There are two huge exposed rock overlooks where you can find a comfortable seat to watch the sun set or set up a romantic picnic.
Plunge Basin Overlook – Linville Falls (316)
45 minutes from Blowing Rock
1 mile round trip hike to Plunge Basin Overlook
Most Beautiful in mid October
Linville Falls is an amazing and powerful waterfall. There is an entire trail system built around the falls, so picking the right spot is important.
Most people that hike at Linville falls take Erwin’s View Trail. It is absolutely a wonderful trail, but for finding a romantic moment it is a bit crowded.
For a more romantic experience, instead head to Plunge Basin Trail. There is an overlook high on the edge of the mountain overlooking Linville Falls that receives a fraction of the visitor.
You can also head down into the Linville Gorge and relax at the base of the waterfall. This is a much more intense experience than visiting the high viewing area. We suggest you read our post on Linville Falls before visiting so you can decide if you are up for the hike down into the gorge.
Chestoa View Overlook (320.8)
50 minutes from Blowing Rock, North Carolina
Most Beautiful at Sunrise
Chestoa View Overlook has a stone platform very similar to Thunder Ridge Overlook. Many people drive past Chestoah because you can’t see the overlook from the parking area. It is a very short walk from the parking lot to the stone viewing area.
The view of the nearby mountains is beautiful anytime of the day and because so few people visit this overlook it is great spot to share a quiet moment.
Second Falls or Upper Falls – Graveyard Fields (418.8)
1 hour from Asheville, North Carolina
1.3 miles round trip to Second Falls or 3 miles round trip to Upper Falls
Most Beautiful in early October
There are several waterfalls at Graveyard Fields. The most popular is Second Falls. it is a 40 foot high waterfall that cascades down the side of a steep rocky mountain.
If you want a quieter visit head to Upper Falls. The 60 foot waterfall is more narrow than Second Falls but it receives a tiny fraction of the visitors. There are plenty of rocks to sit on while you watch the waterfall slide down the mountain.
Black Balsam Knob – Art Loeb Trail (420.2)
1 hour from Asheville, North Carolina
2 mile hike round trip
Most Beautiful at Sunrise and Sunset
Black Balsam Knob is a grassy bald high in the mountains, surrounded by towering peaks. There are 360 degree views all along the trail.
What makes this hike so romantic is that you can find a beautiful view almost anywhere along the trail and find a comfortable spot to sit and take in the view.
Black Balsam Knob is part of the Art Loeb Trail, which stretches just over 30 miles. As long as you are following Leave No Trace Principles you can camp anywhere along the Art Loeb Trail. You could turn this amazing hike into a romantic night or two out in the mountains.
Cowee Mountain Overlook (430.2)
1 hour from Asheville, North Carolina
Most Beautiful at Sunset
Cowee Mountain Overlook has some of the most beautiful overlapping mountains for sunset on the entire Blue Ridge Parkway. The overlook isn’t huge, but there is a nice grassy spot on the edge of the overlook where you can throw out a blanket or set up a couple of chairs.
You’ll want to get to this one early so you can watch the shadows slowly spread across the mountains.
Waterrock Knob Overlook (451.2)
30 minutes from Cherokee, North Carolina
1.2 miles round trip hike to the top of Waterrock Knob
Most Beautiful at Sunrise and Sunset
Waterrock Knob is, in my opinion, the most beautiful overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway. The overlook is on a high plateau that looks over some of the most beautiful mountains in the eastern U.S.
On weekends you will likely have some company, so weekday visits will be best for privacy. If you do visit on a weekend you can take the short hike up to the top of Waterrock Knob.
The view is actually better from the rim of the overlook, near the parking area. But, very few people hike up to the top, so you can find a little more privacy on the hike.
Can you get married on the Blue Ridge Parkway?
Maybe you are ready to take your adventure with your special person to the next level and want to have a ceremony on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Can you? Yes, actually you can. At least on most of it.
Before you get married on the Blue Ridge Parkway you have to get a permit from the National Park Service. You can find permitting information on the NPS website and read through the rules.
Even if you aren’t getting married, read through the rules – someone at the NPS has a sense of humor.
There are several places where ceremonies are prohibited, but most overlooks aren’t restricted.
While you can get married on the Blue Ridge Parkway, you may not want to. You can’t block off the overlooks or keep any other visitors out. Small, short ceremonies will be best if you decide to get married on the parkway.
Can you stargaze on the Blue Ridge Parkway?
Sometimes the most romantic moments in the outdoors are under a quiet star-filled sky. Luckily, the Blue Ridge Parkway doesn’t have a closing time.
You still want to check for weather or maintenance closures on the parkway before you visit.
While stargazing is fine, you can’t sleep in your car or camp at an overlook. Camping on the Blue Ridge Parkway is restricted to the campgrounds or a few backcountry locations.
The best places for stargazing on the Blue Ridge Parkway are going to be far from towns and cities. In Virginia that is going to be at the Peaks of Otter. The best spot is at Sharp Top Mountain because of the amazing 360 degree view.
In North Carolina the best spot is Waterrock Knob. The huge overlook is tucked away deep in the mountains so you may even be able to see the Milky Way. Yet another reason why Waterrock Knob is the best overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway.
There are lots of ways to use the Blue Ridge Parkway. Finding a romantic spot to connect with another person is one of the most meaningful.
Many of the most romantic, and beautiful overlooks on the Blue Ridge Parkway, are near Bedford, Virginia, Floyd, Virginia, and Blowing Rock, North Carolina. All awesome mountain towns with a lot of things to do so don’t forget to add those into your romantic plans!
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